Occasional sadness is not depression
Lately, I have come across multiple campaigns that emphasize on mental health being equally important for a person’s well being and suggest that it should be treated with equal significance, without shame. Totally agreed and no two views about it. However, what I would like to point out is that like physical health, some matters are non-serious and can be remedied. Not everything is life threatening and just because couple of days went bad and one is at spilt’s end-doesn't make a person candidate for the tag of “bipolar depressive” or get prescription for “anti-anxiety” pills.
Everyone knows that psychiatry is more of experiential science and doesn't have exact formulas like usual science where 1+1=2. Yes, we do expect certain prescriptions to have similar effects on body because we know how they would effect the CNS but there is absolutely no way to measure how a person is feeling or ably predict behavior for future. With this in mind and given my curious nature - I met several psychiatrists to see if we were sitting on top of some hidden epidemic which will bother the future generations. Few of the common findings were:
The work/family pressure in the past few years have increased radically. But the basic needs of food, clothes, partner, job remain the same
The contribution of Social media has been extensive when it comes to increasing mental health awareness. But the negative effects of creating panic, self-diagnosis and everyone feeling they have a tumor when all they have headache; has increased multifold.
The most important part - Shortcuts of attaining relief with medication has increased proportionately as opposed to trying longer route of connecting with other people and creating an emotional cushion.
To my surprise, many doctors agreed that majority of their patients are just suffering from pressure and not really from mental health issues. However, routine breakdowns when we are not getting desired outcome like job, partner etc are now being referenced as depression and medications are being prescribed.
Read an article few days back, where a 8 year old child tried to commit suicide as he was facing too much pressure because of homework. A 8 year old? Pressure? How will the child who is crumbling under school work pressure, deal with real-life challenges? Now this child might genuinely need a doctor. But imagine, a 18 year old trying to end things because their significant other left them? Personally speaking, they require a good shake-n-smack rather than medications and therapy.
Like my last article, I want to ask - Why has the present set of people become so sensitive? What has gone wrong with the society where half the world acts cruel and other half a victim? Where have the sayings like “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” gone?
Now, not to end this article in complaints but rather have a positive happy ending, below are few very good advices by doctors/therapists/elders for people undergoing temporary meltdowns:
Try and not take everything so seriously.
Try and make few good jokes about a situation you find stressful, our brain has a funny way of reacting when we wish it so
Communicate. Communicate. Communicate. Without the shame of being judged or being defensive.
Indulge in something that requires physical activity/exercise.It releases hormones called Serotonin (happiness hormone) and Dopamine (pain reliever)
Never underestimate the power of family and go back to yours
Read some motivational stuff and talk positive even if you don't feel like it
Just try stay afloat for 1 more day…everyday
Again, it is okay to break down, cry, yell, rest and sleep. But get back after to normal life after taking a break - don't stay broken. And lastly, if nothing else seems to help then do consult a therapist. But believe me, until then you are just fine.
